Device for retrieving small sheets such as radiographs from a tank

ABSTRACT

A device for retrieving small sheets such as radiographs from a tank having a handle and a suction cup pivotally affixed to one end thereof to permit the suction cup to be applied to a radiograph which is resting against either the bottom or the side of a photographic tank.

United States Patent 1191 Koppel 1451 Sept. 30, 1975 1 DEVICE FOR RETRIEVING SMALL SHEETS SUCH AS RADIOGRAPHS FROM A TANK [76] Inventor: Richard M. Koppel, 554 River Vale Rd., River Vale, NJ. 07675 [22] Filed: May 29, 1974 [21] App]. N0.: 474,326

[52] US. Cl 294/64 R; 294/19 R; 403/157 [51] Int. C13. 825,] 1/02 [58] Field of Search 294/19 R, 20, 22, 53.5,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,918,686 7/1933 Bungay 294/64 R 2,070,555 2/1937 Aylwin 403/97 X 2,212,068 8/1940 Humphrcys 403/97 2,287,576 6/1942 Solomon 294/64 R 2,384,334 9/1945 Olson 294/64 R 2,392,865 1/1946 Smith 1 294/20 2,983,541 5/1961 Maki 294/64 R X 3,582,123 6/1971 Kyser 294/19 R X Primary E.\'aminerEvon C. Blunk Assistant E.\' aml'nerJohnny D. Cherry Attorney, Agent, or FirmSamue1s0n & Jacob 1 7 1 ABSTRACT A device for retrieving small sheets such as radiographs from a tank having a handle and a suction cup pivotally affixed to one end thereof to permit the suction cup to be applied to a radiograph which is resting against either the bottom or the side of a photographic tank.

7 3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 3,909,055

. 1' DEVICE FOR RETRIFIVIN'G SMALL SHEETS SUCH s RADIOGRAPHS FROM A TANK The invention relates to a device for retrieving small sheets such as'radiographs from a tank containing liquid such as a caustic photographic solution. More particularly, it relates to such a device having a handle and a suction cup mounted at the end of the handle to engage and seize the sheet so that the sheet can be removed from the tank without danger or inconvenience to the user. Without adevice of the inventionthe user must either insert his hands in'thetankor empty the tank of the liquid. These procedures can result in caustic burns to the person or his clothing or the splashing liquid might damageequipment and/or mutilate the ra diograph.

Small radiographs are commonly used by dentists in diagnosing cavities, tooth and root positions, or patholog'y, etc. These radiographs are also used by other professionals in the healing arts for various purposes. A group of exposed radiographs is mounted to a frame or rod containing a plurality of clips and a radiograph is held in position in a clip. The radiographs in the group are put through the developing, washing and fixing processes as quickly as possible to permit the doctor to examine the result before the patient leaves the office.

If one or more of the radiographs is unsatisfactory, additional X-ray exposures of the area in question are made. Sometimes, a radiograph drops off its clip and is deposited on the bottom or side of one of the tanks. Since it is not wise to insert ones hand in the caustic photographic solution, the doctor generally takes another X-ray to replace the dropped one. This procedure presents four disadvantages: first, the cost of the dropped radiograph is a total loss and a waste; second, the patient is subjected to unnecessary X-ray exposure; third, time is lost; and fourth, during surgery, the delay may be hazardous to health.

Some prior art photographic tanks, which are used for the processing of radiographs, are provided with a mesh container. The mesh container is inserted in the tank and any radiographs, which fall off their clips, drop into the mesh container which is removed from the tank to permit retrieval of the radiograph. This technique has certain disadvantages: first, caustic material may drip or spatter clothing, eyes, equipment, etc.; and second, the film may be scratched in the container.

Broadly, the invention comprises a handle and a suction cup pivotally mounted at one end of the handle. Means are provided for locking the suction cup in position relative to the handle to permit retrieval of the radiographs from the bottom or from the side of the tank.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention to provide a device for retrieving radiographs from tanks which is economical to manufacture and simple to use.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device having a handle and a suction cup affixed to an end of the handle and having means for adjusting the position of the suction cup relative to the handle.

These and other objects, advantages, features and uses will be apparent during the course of the following description, when taken in connection with the accom panying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

' FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the yoke at one end of the handle;

FIG; 3 is a side elevational-view showing the knurled inner surface of one of the flat plates of the yoke;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG.,2 of the eye which is threaded into a threaded opening in the suction cup;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing the knurled surface of the eye which mates with the knurled surface of the flat plate;

" FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the suction cup of the in.-

vention; v FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partly in section, showiiig the device of the invention in position for retrieving a radiographat the bottom of a typical, dental, radiograph tank; and

FIG. 8 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 7, showing the device of the invention in position for retrieving aradiograph at the side of the tank of FIG. 7. i In the drawing, wherein, for the purpose of illustration, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein "like numerals designate like parts throughout the same, the numeral 10 designates a de- ,vice of the invention generally.

Retriever 10 comprises an elongated handle 12 of either solid or tubular noncorrosive metal, plastic or similar material, and a suction cup 20 of flexible resilient material such as rubber or plastic. One end of the handle terminates in a yoke 14 and the other end is usually provided with a toroid 13 to permit the retriever to be hung on a peg or a hook.

Yoke 14 comprises a pair of depending annular plates 16 and 18. Plate 18 is provided with a threaded hole and plate 16 is provided with a hole 21. Suction cup 20 is provided with a tapped hole 28 which receives a threaded end of a shank 24. Shank 24 is affixed to an eye 22 which is provided with an opening 26 and a protuberance 23.

The retriever 10 is assembled by threading shank 24 into opening 28, inserting eye 22 between plates 14 and 16 so that protuberance 23 fits in opening 21, set screw 19 is threaded into hole 15 and is tightened so that its end bears against the bottom 27 of hole 26. As the screw 19 is tightened, the knurled surfaces 17 and 29 contact each other to aid in keeping the suction cup in position relative to the handle. It can readily be seen that the suction cup can easily take any position from being aligned with the longitudinal dimension of the handle to being about perpendicular thereto. In fact, the suction cup can even be aligned so that it is at an obtuse angle with respect to the downwardly extended axis of the handle.

FIG. 7 illustrates the position of a retriever 10 in a dental radiograph tank having compartments 30, 36 and 38 having liquid levels 32, 40 and 42 respectively. A radiograph 34 is on the bottom of the compartment 36. The retriever 10 is inserted in the tank 36 so that the suction cup 20 overlies the radiograph 34. Sufficient pressure is applied so that the vacuum holds the radiograph to the suction cup. Then, the retriever is removed from the tank and brings the radiograph with it.

FIG. 8 illustrates the position of retriever 10 in compartment when radiograph 34 is against the side of the tank. The suction cup 20 is locked in the proper position relative to the handle and the retriever is inserted in the tank so that the suction cup overlies the radiograph. Now, vacuum holding contact is made and the retriever and radiograph are removed from the tank.

It can readily be seen that the retriever of the inven the flat plates and normal to the surface of the body tion can be used on tanks with sloping sides since the portion of the eye; position of the suction cup relative to the handle is an opening in each of the pair of flat plates of the readily adjustable. The device can also be used to rek radiograpiis which resting Partially against the protuberance fitting in one of said openings to the side and partially on the bottom of a tank or compivotal), afflx the Suction cup to said end f the partment. handle- While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made withu) out departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: l

l. A device for retrieving small sheets, such as radiographs, from a tank, said device comprising:

the other of said openings being threaded; and

screw means threaded into the other of said openings and juxtaposed with the eye such that as the screw means is tightened, the eye is urged against a flat plate of the yoke to thereby hold the suction cup in a fixed position relative to the handle.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the protuberance is affixed to the body portion of the eye.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein:

a handle; I the surface of the body portion of the eye to which a pair of opposed, spaced flat plates at the end of the the protuberance is affixed is knurled; and

h dl t f a k the surface of the flat plate adjacent thereto is simian eye having a body portion and a th d d h k; larly knurled to preclude movement of the suction a suction cup having a threaded opening within cup relative to the handle when the screw is tightwhich the threaded shank is engaged; ened. a protuberance extending from the eye toward one of 

1. A device for retrieving small sheets, such as radiographs, from a tank, said device comprising: a handle; a pair of opposed, spaced flat plates at the end of the handle to form a yoke; an eye having a body portion and a threaded shank; a suction cup having a threaded opening within which the threaded shank is engaged; a protuberance extending from the eye toward one of the flat plates and normal to the surface of the body portion of the eye; an opening in each of the pair of flat plates of the yoke; the protuberance fitting in one of said openings to pivotally affix the suction cup to said end of the handle; the other of said openings being threaded; and screw means threaded into the other of said openings and juxtaposed with the eye such that as the screw means is tightened, the eye is urged against a flat plate of the yoke to thereby hold the suction cup in a fixed position relative to the handle.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the protuberance is affixed to the body portion of the eye.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein: the surface of the body portion of the eye to which the protuberance is affixed is knurled; and the surface of the flat plate adjacent thereto is similarly knurled to preclude movement of the suction cup relative to the handle when the screw is tightened. 